CAA wants Pioneer Easy Bus to run Entebbe route

Jun 16, 2016

"The public is uncomfortable with the hustle that comes with taxis and the fact that they increase prices whenever they choose."

Madrine Arishaba, the General Manager of Pioneer Easy buses says they are finalising arrangements with the authorities of the three destinations.

"They contacted us with reason that there is too much traffic on these roads and taxis do not satisfy the demand. That is why we see private cars along those routes ferrying people too.

"Secondly, the public is uncomfortable with the hustle that comes with taxis and the fact that they increase prices whenever they choose. We are committing 15 buses on the Entebbe route and three others will be stationed at the airport."

The drive to or from the airport will cost sh4,000 which is much cheaper than the shuttle and cabs which charge not less than sh5,0000.

Tom Waswa, the Marketing Manager of Civil Aviation Authority says they approached Pioneer Easy Bus for the service because for a long time, they have been experiencing a problem with private transporters.

"For both our workers and the people going through the airport (those coming in and going out), it has been very costly for them and even then, not sufficient. We have inspected the buses and found them to be clean and suiting the airport standard. We only advised them to install Wi-Fi.

"We provided them with flight schedules to work with so that everyone who wishes to uses the buses is not left behind."

Currently, the Pioneer buses reach Bweyogerere, Ntinda, Namugongo and Luzira.

 

In 2013, they were shut down by Uganda Revenue Authority over accumulated taxes amounting to over sh300m.

Asked about whether they will not be shut down again for similar issues, Arishaba explained: "We signed a memorandum of understanding with URA and agreed to remit sh37m monthly which we started paying in January this year. We have installed, in all the vehicles, CCTV cameras and GPS systems.

"The former help us to keep track of the vehicle while the latter enables us to monitor especially the behaviour of our drivers. With this, we reassure the public of a much better service," Arishaba says.

"We have also contracted Camouflage Spin Ltd, to install pioneer TV which are not like ordinary ones in our homes," says Daudi Mugabi, the operations manager.

"They currently do not have real time (live) content but rather educative, informative and entertaining videos with adverts. Additional content to be added includes news highlights, fun facts, music videos and sponsored shows.

"Above all, passengers will be able to stay updated with essential communication from various sources including government ministries, organisations and individuals who wish to convey messages. We made this initiative for a passenger who runs errands away from home all day and having no time to watch television to keep abreast with vital information."

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